Alnwick Castle | Castle UK, Northumberland Alnwick Castle Welcome to one of Britain's most iconic castles My wife and I are delighted to offer you a very warm welcome to Alnwick Castle, which has been my family's home for over 700 years. It is an important part of British heritage; its walls are steeped in history and filled with tales of warfare, romance and chivalry. We very much hope that you enjoy your visit to our special home. -- Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland 2017 opening Internet Family Tree Thomas (1837-1863) Ralph (1842-1842) Notes for Andrew Davison"He worked in the Duke of Northumberland Park for a number of years. Came to America in 1834 with 8 children, having left 6 dead in England. Two more children were born in Albany, NY and 2 in London, Canada, making 18 in all.

The family returned to Albany from Canada in 1844." The "Duke of Northumberland Park" is either Syon Park in Brentford, Middlesex, which is the official residence of the Duke of Northumberland, or it may refer to the grounds of Alnwick Castle, which seems likely since that is the town where Andrew and Mary were married. SYON PARK (quoted from the Syon Park web page) Syon Park is the home of the Duke of Northumberland, and is situated halfway between Central London and Heathrow Airport in Brentford, Middlsex. The 200 acre park include the House and Gardens, the Snakes and Ladders indoor playground, the London Butterfly House and the Aquatic Experience. Housed in the former stables is one of the country's best known garden centres, with its aquatic retail outlet, wholefood shop, pet care supplies and needlecraft centre. Nearby is an art centre and a National Trust gift shop. Enjoy a snack or lunch in the Patio Cafeteria, or picnic by the lake in the gardens. Syon House itself has a fascinating history. It is built on the site of a medieval abbey dissolved by King Henry VIII.

His coffin, lying at Syon on its way to Windsor for burial, burst open during the night and in the morning dogs were found licking up the remains!. This was regarded as a divine judgement for his desecration of the abbey. Other royal visitors to Syon include Charles I, Princess (later Queen) Victoria and members of the present Royal Family. In the 1760s Robert Adam created some of his finest work inside Syon House for the first Duke of Northumberland, leading Sir John Betjamin to describe it as the "Grand Architectural Walk". Gardens at Syon were created here as long ago as the 16th century. In the mid-18th century the parkland was landscaped by Capability Brown to include two lakes, one of which is now the Trout Fishery. Today Syon has 30 acres of gardens which incorporate the Great Conservatory, a Rose Garden, Flora's Lawn and over 200 species of rare trees. ALNWICK CASTLE The bustling town of Alnwick (pronounced "Annick") is located in Northumberland, in the northern reaches of England along the River Aln, so near to Scotland's southern borders.

Its crowning glory is the castle, still the home of the Dukes of Northumberland, now a marvelous mix of the old and the new. As a ducal residence, the castle has been impressively restored and is maintained in outstanding condition both inside and out. The vision is simply dazzling, battlements adorned with life-sized stone sentinels who still dare unwelcome access, interiors teeming with vitality. Not only is Alnwick Castle an architectural masterpiece, the fortress also belies the active, influential history of its owners. There has been a castle of some sort on the site since the 11th century, when the Norman Gilbert Tyson (de Tesson), William the Conqueror's standard-bearer, acquired the property. It is likely that Tyson erected an earth and timber fortification on the site, however, nothing survives to prove this. Several key events took place at Alnwick or in the immediate area during Tyson's tenure. In 1093, the king of Scotland, Malcolm Canmore, was killed just a mile away from the castle by Robert Mowbray, the Earl of Northumberland, and the Scottish army pushed back northwards.

Two years later, Tyson joined Mowbray's unsuccessful rebellion against the English king, William Rufus, and was forced to give up his possessions at Alnwick. Ownership of Alnwick passed to Yvo de Vescy the following year, and Vescy started the first building program at the site. Vescy's daughter and heir, Beatrix, married Eustace Fitzjohn, and after Vescy's death in 1134, Eustace was created Baron of Alnwick and received rights to the castle. Fitzjohn played an active role in the politics of the day, siding with the Empress Matilda in her attempt to gain the monarchy from Stephen and joining David I's rebellion against the king. David I, the king of Scotland, eventually forced Eustace Fitzjohn to turn over the castle at Alnwick in 1138, but later that year, after the rebels were defeated, Fitzjohn made peace with Stephen and regained his property at Alnwick. Eustace managed to complete the castle's construction, which was much the same design as we see today, and died in Wales in 1157.

De Vescy descendants continued to be controversial in their loyalties to their monarch. In 1172 and again in 1174, Alnwick Castle was besieged by the Scottish king William the Lion, both times successfully defended by a garrison led by William de Vescy. On the second occasion, King William's troops were surprised by English forces, who pounced upon them in the fog and captured the Lion. By 1184, William de Vescy died, and the castle passed to his son, another Eustace (who, ironically, married the Lion's daughter). Upon the accession of King John to the English throne in 1199, troubles recurred with the Scots. William the Lion laid claim to Northumberland, a demand which John refused. For the next 14 years the issue remained in limbo. John visited Alnwick Castle twice during that time, endeavoring to settle the Scottish king's demands. Even though a treaty was signed by Scotland's then-prince Alexander, who also paid homage to John, little changed.

Eustace de Vescy remained an adversary of King John's and during the barons' rebellion in 1212, Eustace was one of the leaders. Eustace fled to the support of the Scots, and in retaliation, John ordered the destruction of Alnwick Castle. Fortunately, his orders were never carried out. Eventually, Eustace de Vescy reconciled with King John, and regained his estate in Northumberland. However, in 1215, the Baron of Alnwick once again turned against his king, joined the great confederation of the barons, and also joined forces with King Alexander of Scotland in his invasion of Northumberland. Now Alnwick was burned by John's army. The following year saw another rebellion against the English king, and Eustace de Vescy was killed while besieging Barnard Castle. For the next four decades, Alnwick Castle existed in a state of relative quiet.

However, by the mid-1260's troubles began anew, as the Vescy heir, John, supported Simon de Montfort in his attempt to overthrow King Henry III, and was wounded and captured in the Battle of Evesham in 1265 and forced to relinquish his property at Alnwick. After his release, John de Vescy fought to regain his castle, but Prince Edward, an accomplished warrior, had no trouble defeating the former baron. Surprisingly, Vescy was again pardoned by the monarchy, and after paying a fine, regained his castle. Upon his death in 1288, Alnwick Castle passed to Vescy's brother, William. And during his baronetcy, Alnwick Castle remained the focal point of ongoing conflict between Scotland and England, culminating in the unsuccessful attack in 1297 by William ("Braveheart") Wallace. In the same year, William de Vescy died leaving no legitimate heir, and the castle was placed in the care of the Bishop of Durham. In 1309, the bishop sold the castle and accompanying estates to Henry Percy.

Alnwick Castle now passed into its most notorious, and dramatic, period. Tne of the most powerful families in England, the Percy legacy has been chronicled by Shakespeare and others. Their history is one of tumult and intrigue, conflict with their monarch as well as the Scots. Henry, the 1st Lord Percy of Alnwick, revolted against King Edward II, lost and then regained his possessions. In 1314 Percy fought with the king at Bannockburn, was taken prisoner, and then ransomed back by the English. As owner of Alnwick Castle, Henry Percy made extensive repairs to the structure and modified its design, much of which remains in fine condition to this day. Upon the 1st Lord Percy's death in 1315, his son, another Henry (also the name of the next seven Percy lords!), succeeded to the title. While most of his time was spent fighting on the Continent, the 2nd Lord Percy did upgrade his castle at Alnwick. He died in 1352 at the castle. His son, the 3rd Lord Henry, also was an active warrior, and participated in the perpetual struggles with the Scots and in conflicts with France.

This Henry died in 1368. The next Henry, 4th Lord Percy and 1st Earl of Northumberland, is probably the best known and most infamous of all the lords of Northumberland. A skilled warrior active in France in the 1350's, 1360's and 1370's, this Henry Percy was an essential player in the wars against the Scots. His son, made famous in Shakespeare's Henry IV, was Harry Hotspur, who distinguished himself at the tender age of 12 in the Battle of Otterburn. During the conflict, Hotspur led a night-time attack against the Scottish forces, and, despite his complete failure and capture, Hotspur earned a reputation (and his nickname) for his warrior-nature. In 1399, the Earl of Northumberland and his son were accused of treason against their king, Richard II. They immediately instigated another barons' revolt and placed their favorite, Henry IV, on the English throne. But, in 1403, the Percies led their own rebellion against the king, in retaliation for the king's supposed lack of support and inappropriate lack of monetary gratitude.

Hotspur was killed and his father surrendered, their supporters refusing to give up their hold on Alnwick Castle until confronted with the powers of the king's siege engine. The following year, Henry Percy was freed, and in 1405 he once again rebelled. Eventually, the garrison at Alnwick Castle surrendered, although their lord fled to Scotland. Henry Percy made one last ditch effort to bring down the English monarch, but was killed in 1409 at Bramham Moor. Once again, a Henry Percy succeeded to the earldom of Alnwick. This Henry was a close friend of the future king, Henry V, and maintained intimate royal connections throughout his lifetime. The Scottish Wars for Independence continued to plague the English monarchy, and in 1424 Alnwick Castle was besieged and burned by the marauding Scots. Over the next 30 years, the Earl of Northumberland periodically invaded Scotland or had his castle invaded by the Scots. In 1448, Alnwick was again burned by the Scots, under the leadership of the Douglases.

In 1452, the second earl sided with the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses, and was killed at the Battle of St. Albans in 1455. The 3rd Earl of Northumberland also sided with the Lancastrians and continued his father's pattern of warfare against both the Scots and the Yorkists. In 1461, he valiantly fought in the Battle of Towton, apparently England's bloodiest ever, and was killed along with some 38,000 others. Alnwick Castle was seized by the Crown and then granted to Lord Montagu. But the Wars of the Roses had not ended, nor did Alnwick's participation. The castle was besieged twice in 1462, fell into Yorkist hands in 1463, and eventually was regained by the Earls of Northumberland in 1469, after the accession of Edward IV. Twenty years later, the fourth earl was murdered by "the Mob" for imposing an unpopular tax. The castle continued to be active over the ensuing centuries.

Some of the more significant events follow: 1) the castle was the headquarters for assembling armies to fight the Scots; 2) loss of the earldom to the Crown from 1337 to 1357, when Thomas Percy was created seventh Earl of Northumberland - he was beheaded by Queen Elizabeth in 1572 for his support of her adversary, Mary of Scotland, and the Roman Catholic Church; 3) his brother, the 8th Earl, died in the Tower of London under mysterious circumstances, having also supported the Scottish queen; 4) a cousin of the 9th Percy earl participated in the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, now commemorated on Guy Fawkes Day; 5) from the mid-17th century until the 18th century, the Earls of Northumberland abandoned their castle at Alnwick, and the castle severely decayed; 6) Sir Hugh Smithson became the 1st Duke of Northumberland in 1766, and was responsible for the castle's restoration, which began in about 1755, and included the birth of the fantastic interiors.

From then onward, the Northumberlands made their mark in the courts of their monarchs and the affairs of their nation. The Dukes of Northumberland continued to maintain the grandeur of their castle as well as extend the exteriors. Today, Alnwick Castle is an impressive stately home, and relics of its initial military origins are clearly visible in the basic design, battlements, and massive fortitude of the structure. Alnwick Castle is a marvel of 18th century reconstruction, founded on the remnants of earlier castles on the site. In 1755, the incomparable architect, Robert Adam, was retained by the 1st Duke of Northumberland to recreate his family's castle and much of the gothicized exterior can be traced to Adam's influence. However, almost 100 years later, the 4th Duke acquired the skills of Anthony Salvin to complete the castle's rebirth. Salvin pulled down most of Adam's modifications, and restored the structure to much of its medieval appearance. The castle retains its initial plan, which consisted of a low mound, a circular keep, two baileys, and a multi-towered, irregular curtain wall.

A narrow roadway from the town center leads to the castle's entrance, which today is located to the right of the barbican as you face the castle. The barbican is an interesting structure in itself, built to guard the main gate at its rear and deter intrusion by the enemy. A grand carving of the Percy shield with its rampant lion and the family's motto still adorns the archway. (The Percies made a special effort to decorate their castles with their heraldic lion. Nearby Warkworth Castle is also hallmarked with the figure.) The barbican and main gatehouse were physically separated by a ditch, still existing, and spanned by a drawbridge. The gatehouse was also defended with heavy doors and a portcullis. The massive structure dates to 1440, the era of the 2nd Earl of Northumberland, and would have been self-sufficient during a siege. Although today we enter the castle through the stables courtyard to the right of the gate-complex, the actual entry point was through the barbican and associated gatehouse into the outer bailey.

The outer bailey offers us our first view of the great keep in all its restored glory, as well as an impression of the design of the first castle at Alnwick. Rimming the outer bailey is a powerful curtain wall, broken at several points by tall angular towers. To the right are the 18th century Clock Tower and the Auditor's Tower, which has preserved its 14th century stonework. Apparently, the latter tower once housed livestock on the ground floor. Between the two towers is a complex of residential buildings, including bed chambers and administrative offices. Across the bailey, to the left of the keep and the original gatehouse, is the Abbot's Tower. Built in the 14th century, it once housed the Abbot of Alnwick Abbey but is now the home of the regimental museum of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Further along that side of the curtain is the rectangular Falconer's Tower, which offers fine views of the keep and its conglomeration of towers. To the rear of the keep is the second bailey at Alnwick Castle, called the middle bailey.

Like its counterpart, this bailey is highlighted by lush green grasses and enclosed by a sturdy towered curtain wall. Several segments of the wall date to the Middle Ages and are linked by the 19th century Warder's Tower, the small 14th century Eastern Garret (another tower), the angular Record Tower (with 14th and late 19th century masonry), Hotspur's Seat (a 14th century guard-tower), the semi-circular Constable's Tower (built by the 1st Lord Percy) and, lastly, the Postern Tower (also built by Henry, Lord Percy). The Constable's Tower and the Postern Tower essentially remain as they appeared in the 14th century, with only minor restoration undertaken to maintain them in outstanding condition. The Constable's Tower was home to the castle's constable (not surprisingly!), used as an armory, defended by arrowslits, and crowned with thick battlements. The Postern Tower contains the castle's last escape hatch, the sally-port or postern gateway, and was situated to give added protection to the rather vulnerable keep (there is no curtain wall between the Postern and Falconer's Towers).

Passing through the Middle Gateway, which separates the two baileys on the castle's southern front, access to the keep is gained across a short wooden bridge which leads through a twin- towered archway. Built in 1350, the huge octagonal towers warn the visitor to be wary of any malicious intent. Four stories tall and defended with a portcullis (only the grooves remain) and wooden doors (dating to the 17th century), the gateway is splendidly adorned with carved shields. It only hints at the grandeur waiting ahead. An interesting "bottle Dungeon", barely lit with arrowslits, sits just inside the archway. Viewed from the exterior, the battlemented, polygonal keep is a breath-taking spectacle, sitting proudly atop the low earthen mound. Masonry from virtually all building periods at the site are visible in the walling of the keep,including the Norman Era. However, the bulk of the structure dates to the 19th century restoration effort. Clearly, the most imposing, curious and entertaining feature of the keep is the presence of the life-sized stone soldiers steadfastly discouraging any attempts at takeover.

These figures are visible from quite a distance and are so realistic that, even today, we must pause to remind ourselves that they are merely wonderful stone carvings. But, their presence atop the battlements would have certainly given the enemy the distinct impression that a formidable garrison inhabited the castle. The marvelous interiors at Alnwick Castle are simply awesome.

Features of interest include: the lovely Grand Staircase, lined with marble and embellished with a vaulted ceiling and stucco-work; the Guard Chamber, with its gilded furniture and ceiling panels, mosaic flooring, marble statues, and other fine artwork; the incredible Library, with an even grander panelled, gilt ceiling, double-tiered bookcases, and impressive chimneypieces; the pretty Music Room, colored in hues of gold, and having a more intricately carved panelled ceiling covered with gold, fine chimneypieces, and gilt furniture; the Red Drawing Room, which dazzles the beholder, containing wonderfully gilded panelled ceilings and another remarkable chimneypiece, this time flanked with ebony cabinets and intricate gilding; and the grand Dining Room, once the site of the medieval banqueting hall, a bit subdued in comparison to the previous room, yet having finely carved wood ceilings, another impressive chimneypiece, and other objects d'arte. Words can only begin to express the splendor of Alnwick Castle, both inside and out. The best way to experience the wonders of the home of the Dukes of Northumberland is to visit the site for yourself.

Alnwick Castle sits just off the A1 in the town of Alnwick, some 30 miles north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne or 30 miles south of Berwick-upon-Tweed. The castle is open daily during the summer (Easter to October), for a fee. A famous Davison from Northumberland: Emily Davison (1872 - 1913) Born in Blackheath, London. Emily lived with her mother in a small house opposite the "Shoulder of Mutton" Inn in the village of Longhorsley (Northumberland). She gained a first class honours degree in English from the Oxford University and became one of the most militant members of the suffregette movement which campaigned for votes for women. She was trampled to death by the king's horse, Anmer, when trying to interupt the 1913 Derby by running onto the racecourse waving a suffragette flag. Women over 30 were given the vote 5 years later. She is buried in St. Mary's Churchyard, Morpeth. [LONGHORSLEY Population: 500.

Essentially a dormitory community on the for South Northumberland and Tyneside. In the village shop, Thomas Bell developed the world's first self-raising flour. He called it Bell's Royal, now known as Be-Ro.]Ó 4 Last Modified 27 Dec 1999 Created 11 Apr 2000 by EasyTree for Windows95 Duke and Duchess of Northumberland will not quit Alnwick Castle - The Journal Duke and Duchess of Northumberland will not quit Alnwick Castle 00:00, 18 Dec 2012 THE Duke and Duchess of Northumberland have no plans to quit their Alnwick Castle seat despite major works on their “retirement” home. Share The Duke and Duchess of Northumberland THE Duke and Duchess of Northumberland have no plans to quit their Alnwick Castle seat despite major works on their “retirement” home. A spokesman for the couple insisted they are “going nowhere” in the foreseeable future, even though they have started an extensive overhaul of the property they have earmarked for their retirement.

The duke and duchess have secured planning permission from the Scottish Borders Council to convert a shooting lodge at their Earnscleugh property, at Burncastle near Lauder, into residential accommodation. Their spokesman last night told The Journal the permission is for the “updating and modernising” of the property. That would involve some demolition and replacement of rooms, plus an extension. He added that the property will have an extra one or two bedrooms, taking the total to 10 or 11. Construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed and work is scheduled to be completed by August. Documents submitted with the planning application tell how the duke and duchess use the site – part of their estate at Burncastle – as a summer home, while Alnwick Castle is open to the public. The couple are said to have done this for the 15 years they have owned the property.

The paperwork says: “The owners have been actively involved in the running of the estate and the lodge, and would now like to step back from the day-to-day running of the property, and would like to retire from Alnwick to Earnscleugh and use the property as their main private residence.” The documents add: “Since its construction and over the past 15 years or so, the property owners have developed a very strong affinity with the property at Earnscleugh and the wonderful natural beauty of the valley that it sits in. “When considering a possible move from Alnwick, they looked no further than Earnscleugh.” Last night, the couple’s spokesman said of a potential permanent move from Alnwick: “It has been mentioned, who knows what is going to happen in 10 or 20 years’ time. That is a possibility.” But he said there was no suggestion the couple were planning to depart in the near future. The spokesman added: “The duke and duchess are going nowhere.” The duchess recently announced that she plans to step down from her management role at her Alnwick Garden project in 2015, when it will be turned into a franchise run by an outside company.

She will instead pursue a new book, skincare and clothing deal. The documents submitted in support of the planning application tell how four options were considered for the redevelopment of Earnscleugh. The others were constructing a new house on a different location within the estate, demolishing the property and constructing a new one on the same site, and retaining the existing property in its current form. McAlpine has carried out previous work for the duke and duchess, including the building of most of the Alnwick Garden. Medieval Magnificence At England's Alnwick Castle Home » Travel news, travel guides and reviews » Medieval Magnificence At England’s Alnwick Castle As the second largest inhabited medieval castle in England, the Alnwick Castle is located within the ceremonial county of Northumberland, in the northern part of the country. This magnificent landmark acts as the official residence of the Duke of Northumberland, but it is also regarded as a very important tourist attraction , which is why it receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. As with most castles and forts, the Alnwick was initially built for military purposes, more specifically to discourage and protect against an eventual Scottish invasion.

Nonetheless, the place was captured in 1136 by King David I of Scotland, who naturally described it as “very strong”. Throughout the centuries, the Duke of Northumberland and his family have always taken residence within the walls of this splendid landmark, and they still continue to do so 700 years later in our modern days. Those who are fortunate enough to be able to visit Alnwick Castle are in for a real treat, whether they’re looking to catch a glimpse of medieval life or to admire the exquisite State Rooms that are teeming with historically significant art pieces and furnishings. Children would have a particularly great time during their visit, especially Harry Potter fans, since the castle actually served as a filming set for the famous movies. Other attractions include various performances by jesters and falconers as well as traditional crafts, medieval games and swordplay spectacles. Furthermore, 3 of the castle’s towers are used extensively for various exhibitions. The Regimental Museum of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers operates within Abbot’s Tower, while the Postern Tower houses Pompeii frescoes, objects from the Romano-British culture and relics that originate in Ancient Egypt.

Military-related attractions such as the Percy Tenantry Volunteers exhibition are housed within the Constable’s Tower. 33 Beautiful Castles to Visit in England (In Pictures) Travel Trends 33 Beautiful Castles to Visit in England (In Pictures) From fully-fortified medieval residences and buildings of which only earthworks or fragments remain - England has some of the most beautiful castle structures in the world that are well worth visiting 25 March 2013 Arundel Castle They don't all have the word castle in their name and some are just ruins of a distant past, but England 's castle structures are some of the most awe-inspiring in the world. Here, we've picked 33 castles that you should visit on your trip to the English shores. Arundel Castle, West Sussex Arundel Castle Restored medieval castle founded by Roger de Montgomery on Christmas Day 1067. It is the seat of The Dukes of Norfolk and set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens. Warkworth Castle, Northumberland Warkworth Castle Ruined medieval building with a magnificent cross-shaped keep crowning a hilltop in the town of Warkworth.

The town and castle occupy a loop of the River Coquet, less than a mile from England 's north-east coast. Rochester Castle, Kent Rochester Castle A 12th-century keep in Kent, South East England, which boasts one of the best preserved stone towers in England. Windsor Castle, Windsor Windsor Castle The 11th-century castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen, in England. Mow Cop Castle, Staffordshire Mow Cop Castle A folly at Mow Cop near Harriseahead, Staffordshire, there are traces of prehistoric camp that have been found here and the area is great for walking tours. Carlisle Castle, Cumbria Carlisle Castle A 900-year-old fortress with a rich and meaningful historical past as an important Roman site. Close to Hadrian's Wall, today the castle houses exhibitions and has guided tours. Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire Belvoir Castle Surrounded by beautiful gardens, Belvoir Castle is a Grade I listed stately home in the English county of Leicestershire, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir.

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire Warwick Castle A medieval stronghold developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle is set against the backdrop of stunning scenery and the winding River Avon. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland Bamburgh Castle A Grade I listed building, this castle sits on a basalt outcrop overlooking the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne and is home to the Bamburgh Castle Aviation Artefacts Museum. Tower of London, Central London Tower of London Home to the Crown Jewels, Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames. In 1078, William the Conqueror built The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name. Dover Castle, Kent Dover Castle Dubbed the "Key to England" because of its defensive importance throughout history, Dover Castle is a must-see 12th-century medieval structure in Kent.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex Bodiam Castle A stunning 14th-century moated fortress near Robertsbridge, Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III to defend the area against French invasion. Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire Sudeley Castle - image courtesy of Gordon M Robertson on Flickr A stately home in the heart of the Cotswolds with gorgeous gardens to marvel. The present structure was built in the 15th century and may have been on the site of a 12th-century castle. Corfe Castle, Dorset Corfe Castle Built by William the Conqueror and dating back to the 11th century, today, Corfe Castle is a fortification standing at the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck. Saxons and Vikings re-enactments are held in the area too. Highclere Castle, West Berkshire Highclere Castle Featured in the hit TV drama Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle is a wonderful 1,000-acre country house in the Jacobethan style, that has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland Alnwick Castle Discover sumptuous State Rooms, the medieval Knight's Quest arena, dragons and magic at the residence of the Duke of Northumberland, which was built following the Norman conquest. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire Blenheim Palace One of the UK's most historic houses, the monumental Blenheim Palace is the residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. St Mawes Castle, Cornwall St Mawes Castle The castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, built as part of a defensive chain of keeps to protect the south coast of Cornwall. Towers, turrets and elabaorate decor can be found here. Stokesay Castle, Shropshire Stokesay Castle One of the finest 13th-century fortified manor houses in England, Stokesay Castle is a historic icon located a mile south of the town of Craven Arms, in southern Shropshire. Portchester Castle, Hampshire Portchester Castle A medieval castle built within a former Roman fort at Portchester to the east of Fareham.

The Romans built a naval base here in the third century to guard against attack. Lewes Castle, East Sussex Lewes Castle Norman Castle standing at the highest point in Lewes, on an artificial mound constructed with chalk blocks, at the heart of the South Downs National Park. It was originally called Bray Castle. Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire Kenilworth Castle Constructed from Norman through to Tudor times, the castle was the subject of the six-month long Siege of Kenilworth in 1266, and formed a base for Lancastrian operations in the War of the Roses. Colchester Castle, Essex Colchester Castle An example of a largely complete Norman castle which is a Grade I listed building. At one and a half times the size of the Tower of London's White Tower, Colchester's keep is the largest ever built in Britain and the largest surviving example in Europe. Durham Castle, Durham Durham Castle Standing on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral, this Norman castle is home to over 100 students and is used by University College, Durham.

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk Oxburgh Hall A 15th-century moated manor house with great gardens and woodland walks, Oxburgh Hall was built around 1482 by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld. Barnard Castle, County Durham Barnard Castle A ruined medieval castle situated in the town of the same name. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and was designated as a Grade I listed building in 1950. Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex Herstmonceux Castle A perfect combination of the history of Medieval England and the romance of the Renaissance era, this brick-built Tudor castle is renowned for its magnificent 600 acres of beautiful parkland and Elizabethan gardens. Leeds Castle, Kent Leeds Castle Set on two islands on the River Len, in the heart of Kent, Leeds Castle has been fortified for more than 900 years. It has been used by many monarchs as including King Edward I and Henry VIII used it as a residence for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon.

St Michaels Mount St Michaels Mount Seeped in legend, myth and incredible history, St Michael's Mount is a tidal island 366 metres off the Mount's Bay coast of Cornwall. It is also the home of the St Aubyn family. Raby Castle, County Durham Raby Castle Medieval castle, Built in the mid 14th century on the site of an earlier fortified manor house, this medieval castle, near Staindrop in County Durham, sits in a 200-acre deer park. It was built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby. Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire Whitby Abbey Set on a headland high over the popular North Yorkshire seaside town, Whitby Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff above Whitby. Hever Castle, Kent Hever Castle Located in the village of Hever, the castle, with its enchanting double-moated fortress and 125-acre gardens - began as a country house, built in the 13th century. From 1462 to 1539 it was the seat of the Boleyn, originally 'Bullen', family.

Belsay Hall, Northumberland Belsay Hall Belsay Hall is a 19th century country mansion and a Grade I listed building. Here you can explor the ruined medieval castle and its great room as well as taking in the stunning views from the top of the tower. Which is your favourite? Have we missed any that you have visited? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK FemaleFirst by Shabana Adam for find me on and follow me on Alnwick Castle | 1st Duke and Duchess 1st Duke and Duchess The 1st Duke and Duchess Marriage Elizabeth Seymour, the daughter of the 7th Duke of Somerset, married Sir Hugh Smithson in the summer of 1740. Sir Hugh’s family were baronets, a title given to them by Charles II for their Royalist loyalty during the Civil War. Though they were landowners, he was not of noble blood. When Elizabeth’s father died she inherited the baronies traditionally associated with the Percy family, while Hugh became Baron Warkworth and Earl of Northumberland. Elizabeth and Hugh’s marriage seemed to have been a happy one throughout – some of their love letters are still said to survive.

Return to Alnwick Castle Hugh was able to take the name and arms of Percy after an Act of Parliament in 1750, making him Sir Hugh Percy and his wife Lady Elizabeth Percy (she was also known as Lady Betty). She was incredibly proud of her Percy heritage and ancestry, and they made the decision to move to Northumberland into one of the old Percy castles. Warkworth Castle was considered, but ultimately Alnwick Castle was chosen to be transformed from a virtually unused medieval fortress into a palatial, gothic-style home. The couple began to restore its walls, keep, grounds, and surrounding parkland. While Alnwick underwent its restoration, Elizabeth and Hugh’s other residences - Syon House and Northumberland House in central London, and Stanwick in Yorkshire - were simultaneously being restored; each house was to be restored in a different style from the others. Restorations on this scale were something only very few people could have accomplished. Castle restorations The new interiors of Alnwick Castle were designed by Robert Adam; the gatehouses, towers and curtain walls underwent work and repairs.

The Gun Terrace was created and, to the east of the castle, Ratcheugh Observatory was built as a ruin for Lady Betty to use as a picnic spot. She kept a list of over 90 different carriage rides she could take from the castle! On the Inner Bailey, Hotspur’s Seat was built for Elizabeth and a large number of stone statues were made and placed around the top of the keep and towers. This was partly as a tribute to the much older statues that already existed on the Octagonal Towers, but also partly for the look and effect they would create! The landscape to the north of the castle, viewable from the Gun Terrace or the State Rooms, was remodelled by the famous landscape architect Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. He flattened land; planted trees; created small hills along the roadside to hide the castle from view until it looked its most impressive (an effect that still works today); and even slowed down the River Aln following a flood in 1771. The flood also required the building of the Lion Bridge in 1773, changing Brown’s original plans for the area, which would have included the building of a lake in which Elizabeth could sail her pleasure boat, Esperance!

Becoming Duke and Duchess In 1766, King George III made Hugh and Elizabeth the 1st Duke and Duchess of Northumberland; the only duke and duchess he created during his 60-year reign. Recognition of the long line of the Percy family may have been a factor in the creation, as well as their good works in the North East: by moving to Northumberland, the couple modernised agriculture, ran coal mines, began glass-making on the Tyne, and re-energised the region. Sir Hugh’s political allegiances would also have supported the idea of his creation as Duke; he was always an ally of George III and his first minister. During the course of his life, the 1st Duke also became a Knight of the Garter, Governor-General of Ireland (in 1763), Vice-Admiral of all America (in 1764), and could also be known as Earl Percy from 1766 and Lord Lovaine of Alnwick from 1784. Collectors The 1st Duke and Duchess were two of the greatest collectors of the 18th century; certainly, Elizabeth was one of the top female collectors of that century.

The first floor of Northumberland House was given over to her ‘Musaeum Rooms’, full of a huge variety of items she had acquired, from supposed historical artefacts like the gloves of Queen Elizabeth I and Oliver Cromwell’s nightcap, to wax miniatures of the London polite society of the day. The collection also included prints, paintings, books (such as a very early Chinese-English dictionary), natural history specimens, and ceramics. She would travel around Europe with her entourage to add things to her collection (travelling independently of her husband was a sign of her strong character), as well as to visit famous figures like Voltaire, or attend weddings such as that of King Louis XVI of France and Marie Antoinette. These events, and many others, were recorded in her diaries, of which she wrote a very large number. The diaries also include inventories, rules of conduct for her household and for herself, and a wide range of other notes that are on display today in the castle’s 1st Duchess Collection . The 1st Duke, meanwhile, had collections of his own.

He was a patron of the Italian view-painter Canaletto, acquiring eight of his paintings for the collection, and allegedly won a service of Meissen porcelain in a ‘lottery’ in 1756! The Duke and Duchess were considered an extremely fashionable and stylish couple, and everyone from the Royal family to Casanova would attend events they hosted at Northumberland House. Children The 1st Duke and Duchess had three children: including Hugh (born in 1742), who became the 2nd Duke when his father died in 1786; and Algernon (born in 1750), who would inherit the title Lord Lovaine from his father, and later became known as the Earl of Beverley. Algernon’s son would become the 5th Duke in 1865. The 1st Duke also had three illegitimate children, including one son who he did not officially recognise: James Smithson. Smithson inherited his mother’s fortune when she died, and gathered his own during his life. He had no direct heirs when he died, so his money went to his nephew Henry Hungerford.

But there was a condition on this inheritance: if Hungerford also died without heirs, the money would go to a country that would never have an aristocratic system like the one that had rejected Smithson, in order to found an institute of science and knowledge in his name for 'the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men'. Hungerford did die without heirs; the United States of America claimed the money; and the Smithsonian Institute , named after James, was created. Deaths The 1st Duchess died on 5th December 1776, her 60th birthday. It is claimed that that her death occurred at 8.00pm, the hour of her birth, making her exactly 60 years-old. Her funeral was held at Westminster Abbey and was apparently so well-attended that people were climbing some of the walls to try to see the event. A wall collapsed, trapping people underneath it, and the service was temporarily stopped to try and retrieve people from the debris. The 1st Duke constructed a number of funerary monuments to his wife, including one in Westminster Abbey and another at Brizlee Tower in Northumberland, which was finished in 1781.

Sir Hugh died in 1786 and, like his wife, was buried in the Chapel of St. Nicholas at Westminster Abbey, where the Percys now had burial rights.

Question: Which castle is the official residence of the Duke of Northumberland?
Answer: ALNWICK CASTLE